As elections approach, we often see media emphasizing the importance of voting participation. In 'V for Vendetta,' for instance, it criticizes citizens' apathy and encourages active participation. However, this TV series mocks citizens who participate in voting.** The protagonist speaks to viewers beyond the screen with a nonchalant tone, claiming, "I became president without a single ballot. Democracy is overrated."

Frank Underwood, the protagonist of the first Netflix original series 'House of Cards,' has a mysterious ability. He can break the fourth wall and talk to viewers. In the first episode, he introduces himself to viewers as a Democratic congressman and Majority Whip. And he's about to become Secretary of State. Frank was promised the position in exchange for helping Garrett Walker, who had recently become president, win the election. He even nonchalantly waves to the viewers during the presidential inauguration.**

However, Garrett Walker's words change after entering the White House. No, it wasn't Walker himself, but his secretary who informed Frank that someone else would be taking the Secretary of State position. Frank sits by the fountain in front of the White House as the sun sets, his face filled with despair. Then he embarks on his revenge plan.

First, Frank earns Walker's trust. As the Majority Whip of the ruling party, he successfully passed the education reform bill that Walker had promised. Next, he filled the White House with people he wanted. Then, Frank begins a private relationship with a young ambitious journalist, Zoe Barnes, using her to get the stories he wants published. After trampling over countless people with various schemes, Frank finally gets Walker to appoint him as vice president.

But Frank tells viewers celebrating his victory that his revenge is not over. He plans to exploit the loopholes in the American political system. In the United States, if the president resigns, the vice president assumes the presidency for the remainder of the term.** He leaked Walker's weaknesses everywhere, pushing for his impeachment in Congress. **Just before being impeached, Walker finally hands the presidency to Frank and leaves the White House.**

In the final scene of the season 2 finale, Frank sits in the Oval Office and stares at the viewers. The Frank sitting in the Oval Office mocks the viewers, who are the real voters. He says he became president using only scheming and without a single ballot. He claims democracy is overrated.

This series, which depicts the desires and scheming of politicians in a raw way, was criticized by some as unrealistic when it was first released 10 years ago. But 10 years later, the prevailing opinion is that "reality is worse." Especially with the development of social media, extreme claims have gained traction, and the arrival of the Donald Trump era has made "House of Cards" a drama that is no less than a prophecy of 2020s politics in the 2010s.

The original work of this drama is a novel of the same name by British politician Michael Dobbs. He was a prominent British politician in the 1980s, but was abandoned by Margaret Thatcher, the leader he had followed for over a decade. He says he got the idea for this novel after he was "hit by Thatcher's handbag" and went on vacation. It can be said that his own desires as a politician and his thoughts on real politics are reflected in this work. (Dobbs insists that it has nothing to do with his desire for revenge against Thatcher.)

In 2024, important elections are taking place around the world. The UK general elections and the US presidential elections will be held, and the Taiwanese presidential election has already taken place in Asia. In Korea, there are general elections that are being held after 4 years. Before you go to the polls, it might be a good idea to listen to Frank Underwood's sly mockery. It could be a chance to reflect on what it means to go to the polls in modern society.**